π Meet the Elephants of Elephant Freedom Project
Each elephant at the Elephant Freedom Project has a unique story, a rich history, and a special personality. Some have endured hardship, while others were born into a life of sanctuary and care. Here, they roam freely, surrounded by love and respect. Meet our family of elephants in Chiang Mai.
Mae Khum
π Mae Khum Chan (Born 1975, 50 Years Old)
π The Food Lover & Stubborn Matriarch
Mae Khum Chan is the wise matriarch of our herd, with a strong personality and an unstoppable appetite.
If food is in sight, she must eat itβno matter what! Even her mahout struggles to redirect her when sheβs in “eating mode.” Despite her stubborn streak, she is a healthy, confident elephant who prefers to enjoy her meals without interruption, especially from playful youngsters.
Mae Sa-Morn
π Mae Sa-Morn (Born 1983, 42 Years Old)
π The Resilient Survivor with a Gentle Heart
Mae Sa-Mornβs journey is one of strength and survival. While working in Burma, she tragically stepped on a landmine, causing a permanent injury to her right foot. She walks with a slight limp but remains strong and independent.
She has a calm and motherly nature, especially toward young elephants, allowing them to take her food without hesitation. However, she dislikes loud noises and people who are intoxicated, as she remembers past mistreatment from a drunken mahout.
Her memory is sharp, and she carries both wisdom and kindness in her gentle eyes.
Mae Khum
π Mae Khum (Born 1988, 37 Years Old)
β‘ The Lone Warrior with a Fiery Spirit
Mae Khum prefers her own space and doesnβt tolerate other elephants getting too close. If a mahout isnβt watching carefully, sheβs been known to push others away with her trunkβa strong reminder that she likes her personal bubble!
Much like Mae Sa-Morn, she dislikes loud noises and prefers a peaceful environment. Despite her independent nature, she remains a powerful and healthy elephant with a strong will.
Pai Boon Ya
π Pai Boon Ya (Born 2011, 13 Years Old, Male)
π‘οΈ The Reserved Guardian
Pai Boon Ya is the grandson of Mae Khum Chan and carries her strong, independent genes. Tragically, he lost his mother, Mae Moon, in an accident in 2020. He was raised in the sanctuary, where he has grown into a majestic young bull elephant.
He prefers to keep his distance from strangers, especially when his mahout is not nearby. However, under the care of his trusted handlers, Pai Boon Ya is a calm and observant presence in the herd.
π³ Their Shared Journey: A Story of Freedom
Mae Khum Chan, Mae Sa-Morn, and Mae Khum all began their lives as working elephants among the Karen people in Mae Chaem, Chiang Mai. In their youth, roads were scarce, and these elephants were essential for transporting rice, carrying the sick to hospitals, and helping build homes.
Later, as logging opportunities arose, their owner took them on an arduous one-month journey through the forests to Burma, where they hauled timber for years. When the forestry industry declined, they returned to Thailand, working in elephant trekking and later, riding programs.
Today, they have found true sanctuary at the Elephant Freedom Project, where they live without chains, without riding, and with dignity.
Pang Pak Dee
π Pang Pak Dee (Born 2020, 5 Years Old, Female)
π The Playful Spirit
Pang Pak Dee is the daughter of Mae Khum and was born at the sanctuary, experiencing a life of freedom from day one. She is full of energy and curiosity, always exploring, playing, and showing affection toward her mahout.
When she thinks no one is watching, she loves to play just like a little child, splashing in the water and tumbling in the mud. However, when her mahout is nearby, she transforms into a well-behaved young lady, eager to impress!
Pai Dok Koon
π Pai Dok Koon (Born 2021, 4 Years Old, Male)
πΆ The Curious Adventurer
Pai Dok Koon, the son of Mae Noi, is one of the youngest members of the sanctuary. Born here in a safe and nurturing environment, he is full of playful energy and adores interacting with other baby elephants.
However, he is cautious around strangers and prefers to stay close to his mahout for security. As he grows, he is developing into a strong and independent young elephant, yet he still enjoys his playful antics with his herd.
π Understanding Elephant Names in Thai Culture ππΉπ
In Thailand, elephants hold deep cultural and spiritual significance, and their names reflect their age, gender, and unique characteristics. At the Elephant Freedom Project, each elephantβs name provides insight into their life story.
Hereβs how traditional Thai elephant naming works:
β Mae + Name ππ©βπ§ β A Female Elephant Who Has Had a Baby
- “Mae” (ΰΉΰΈ‘ΰΉ) means “mother” in Thai, signifying that the elephant has given birth.
- Example: Mae Khum Chan is the matriarch of our herd and a proud mother.
β Pang + Name ππ© β A Female Elephant Who Has Not Had a Baby
- “Pang” (ΰΈΰΈ±ΰΈ) is used for young or adult female elephants who have not yet given birth.
- Example: Pang Pak Dee is a playful young female who enjoys exploring her surroundings.
β Pai + Name ππ¦· β A Male Elephant with Ivory (Tusks)
- “Pai” (ΰΉΰΈ) refers to bull elephants that have developed tusks.
- Example: Pai Boon Ya is a strong young male elephant with emerging tusks.
β Sri Dor + Name πβ β A Male Elephant Without Ivory (Tusks)
- “Sri Dor” (ΰΈ¨ΰΈ£ΰΈ΅ΰΈΰΈ) is given to male elephants that naturally do not grow ivory.
- This distinction is important as some male elephants genetically lack tusks.
πΏ Why Elephant Names Matter
Naming elephants based on their life stage and characteristics helps mahouts, conservationists, and visitors understand their individual backgrounds. At the Elephant Freedom Project, we embrace these traditional names while ensuring that each elephant is valued for who they areβbeyond their role in nature or human history.
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